Shade-roller latch



May 20, 1930. c. MENDLER 1,758,961

. SHADE ROLLER LATCH Filed March 27. l1929 Jil uununu /M/E/yrof? CHARLES MENDLER.

Patented May 20, 1930 UNITED STA TES PATENr OFFICE CHARLES MENDLER, OF SAN FRANISGO, CALIFORNIA SHADE-ROLLER LATCH Application` `1ed March 27,

MyVV invention relates to improvements in y tion by a relative rotation in anunwinding d1- 1o rection and being held out of'operative position by the rapid rotation of the roller in either direction.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an improved latching means for window shade rollers and the like.

Another object is to provide an improved latching means which is simple and positive in its action and Vwhich will permit a shade to be effectively held in any desired position.

A further object is to provide an improved construction wherein a detached and freely movable member is normally moved by gravity into operative latching position and is displaced by a slight rotation in an unwinding direction and heldout of engagement by a continued rapid rotation in either direction, said member being limited in its movement to reduce noise and prevent an inadvertent movement of the member to latching position while the shade roller is being rotated.

A still further object is to provide an improved device of the character described which is simple and economical in construcf tion and in which the operating parts are fully enclosed and provided with adequate bearings. v

I accomplish these and otherobjects by means of the improved device disclosed in the drawings forming a part ofthe present application wherein like characters of reference are used to designate similar parts throughout the specification and drawings, and in which,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved latch as applied upon the end of a shade roller or drum; e

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of my latch; Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the latch shells;

1929. `Serial No.l 350,298.

Fig. 4 isa broken longitudinal vertical section through the end of the latchl as applied A'upon a shade roller;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section of the latch, showing the manner in which the latching member is displaced; Y

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the outer shell as applied upon the stem; and

hFg. 7 is a vertical section of the inner s e Referring to the drawings, myV improved latch consists of an outer shell 1 provided with a pair of diametrically `opposite pockets 2 having substantially vertical retaining faces formed at one end thereof and curved displacing faces 4 formed at the oppositel end ofthe pocket. An inner shell 6 is mounted in rotatable engagement with Vvthe outer shell l, said inner shell having a reduced position V7 fitting into `the outer shell l and'having an annular row of apertures Sspa'ced circumferentially around the'shell and arranged in the same plane as the pockets 2 so thatsaid apertures may be moved successively to register with the pockets. I l i A stem 9 extends axially through the shells 1 and 6, the outer end 10o-f` said stembeing flattened to engage a suitable supporting bracket 11 such as the ordinary shadev roller bracket, as indicated in dotted lines ini Fig. 2

of the drawings, whereby the stem is supported and held against rotation. Theouter shell 1 is secured in any suitable manner upon a shoulder 12 formed on the stem9 and is held against rotation by said stem, said shell being positioned relative to the flattened end 10 v in such manner that the pockets 2 will be positioned at the upper and lower ends of a vertical diameter when the stem is in operative engagement with the bracket 11.

The inner shell 6 is provided with a flange portion substantially closing the outer end of said shell and forming a bearing aperture 13 engaging a bearing shoulder 14 formed upon the stem 9. A washer 16 is mounted-within the shell 6 in spaced relation to the flange 13 to form a compartment within said shell 6, said washer having a central bearing aperture engaging a bearing shoulder 17 formed upon the stem 9. The washer 16 also engages a shoulder 18 formed within the shell 6 and defining the operative relat-ion between the washer and shell.

A partition 20 is secured upon the stem 9 within the inner shell 6, said partition extending horizontally across the compartment within said shell and being rigidly held stationary by said stem in fixed relation to the outer shell l and permitting free rotation of the inner shell. Apertures 20 are formed in the partition 2O upon opposite sides of the stein 9.

A ball 19 or other suitable detached meinber is loosely mounted within the compartment formed within the shell 6 between the iange 13 and washer 16 upon each side of the partition 20. The balls 19- are of a size adapted to seat within the apertures 20 and are to be movable through the apertures 8 into engagement with a pocket 2 of the outer shell 1.

rl'he stem 9 is secured to the usual spring guide 21 provided with the ordinary spiral torsion spring 22 and extending axially into a hollow shade roller 23 adapted to receive a window shade 24wound thereon, said spring being secured at one end to the roller and at the other end to the guide 214 which is held against rotation by said stem 9. The washer 16 is provided with a flanged edge secured to the end of the roller 23 and the shell 6 is applied over the end of the roller and outside of the washer 16 and crimped or otherwise secured to the roller to secure the latch mechanism in assembled relation upon the end of said shade roller.

In operation, the roller 23 with its shade 24 is mounted adjacent a window in the ordinary manner, the end 10 of the stem 9 being engaged and held against rotation by its bracket 11 in the Ordinarymanner. rllhe spring 22 imparts a normal turning moment tending to rotate the roller 23 in a winding direction, as indicated by the heavy arrows in Figs. 3 and 5. The outer shell is held against rotation by the stem 9 with the pockets 2 disposed at the ends of a vertical diameter so that one of said pockets will be positioned at the bottom of said shell. The ball 19 occupying the space below the partition 20 is'moved by gravity to engage the downwardly disposed pocket 2 through an aperture 8 of said shell. The tension of the spring 22 causes the inner shell 6 to be moved to'press the ball against the retaining face 3 of the pocket 2, said pocket being of a depth adapted to cause the lupper portion of the ball to be engaged by the edge of the aperture 8 through which it engages the pocket, said ball thus preventing the roller and shell 6 from being rotated past the ball by the normal tension of the spring. The ball 19 within the portion of the compartment above the partition 20 rests upon the top of said partition and is seated in an inoperative position upon one ofthe apertures 20.

Wlhen it is desired to unwind the shade 24 from the roller 23, the shade is pulled away from the roller in the ordinary manner, the iirst rotating movement imparted to the roller and inner shell 6 causing the ball 19 to be moved within the pocket 2 and displaced therefrom by the displacing face 4 thereof. As the roller 23 is further rotated, the ball 19 will be carried along and kept rolling within the lower portion of its compartment by the rotation of the shell 6, thereby preventing said ball from engaging the pocket 2 while the roller is in motion. As soon the desired amount of the shade has been drawn from the roller and the rotation of said roller and the shell 6V is stopped, the ball 19 is moved by gravity to again enter the pocket 2 through whatever aperture 8 happens to bein registering relation therewith. The apertures 8 are spaced at short intervals around the periphery of the shell 6 so that the shade may be stepped and held secured in substantially any desired position, the tension of the spring 22 causing the ball to be engaged and held in latching position as soon as the tension applied to the shade to unwind the saine is released.

To permit the shade to be rewound, a slight pull is imparted to the shade to rotate the inner shell 6 in an unwinding direction Sullicient to displace the ball from the recess 2. The shade is then released and the tension of the spring 22 operates to rotate the roller 23 and the shell 6 in a winding direction, the rapid rotation of said shell causing the ball to be rolled withinthe lower portion of the shell and imparting sullicient momentum to prevent the ball from engaging an aperture 8 and the pocket 2 until the rewinding is halted at the desired point. The ball then rolls back and engages the pocket 2 through whatever aperture 8 registers therewith. The rapid rotation of the roller 23 and vshell 6 in "either direction imparts a relative high velocity to the ball 19. The partition 2.0`limits the free movement of the ball 19 and retains said ball within the lower portion of the compartment, thereby preventing said ball from being carried around with the shell 6. Thusthe ball is carried upwardly into the corner formed between the partition 20 and the shell 6, yas shown in Fig. 5 'of the drawings, the rotation of the shell 6 operatinfr to hold the ball in said corner. This redluces the amount of sound caused by the movement of the ball within theshell 6 and prevents the ball from being carried around or projected through an aperture 8` and into the pocket 2 to prematurely block the rotation of the roller, and thus insures a smooth, quiet and eliicient operation.

The ball 19 contained within the compartment above the partition 20 remains in an inoperative position unaffected by the'operation of the roller and shell 6. This second ball 19 and the pocket 2 are provided in order that the shade roller may be mounted with either side up so as not to be rendered inoperative should it be mounted in an incorrect position. l

The shells 1 and 6 and also the washer 16 are shaped from relatively light sheet metal, thereby insuring an economical construction. The apertured portion of the rotating shell 6 and the balls 19 are entirely enclosed by the outer shell 1 so that the operative parts are fully protected from exposure, and foreign matter, such as might interfere with the efficient operation of the device, is effectually excluded. The parts are light and easily assembled and at the same time constitute a rugged and durable structure which insures an efficient operation. The specific details of construction may of course be modified in numerous ways without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. rI`he combination with a shade roller provided with means for normally rotating said roller in a shade winding direction, vlof an inner shell secured to one end of the roller and having a plurality of apertures therein; an outer shell fitted over the inner shell and rotatably engaging the same, said outer shell having a pocket formed upon the lower side thereof and being held against rotation; a detached member mounted within'the inner shell and freely `movable therein to engage the pocket of the outer shell through an aperture of the inner shell to normally hold said inner shell and roller against rotation relative to the outer shell, said member being displaced by'a rotation of the inner shell in an unwinding direction and being held out of engagement by a rapid rotation of the roller and inner shell in either direction; and a partition mounted within the inner shell to limit the free movement of the detached member therein.

2. The combination with a shade roller provided with means for normally rotating said roller in a winding direction, of an inner shell secured to one end of the roller and having a plurality of apertures therein; an outer shell fitted over the inner shell and rotatably engaging the same, said outer shell having a pocket formed upon the lower side thereof and being held against rotation; a detached member loosely mounted within the inner shell and freely movable therein to engage the pocket of the outer shell through an aperture of the inner shell to normally hold the roller and inner shell against rotation rela tive to the outer shell, said member being displaced by a rotation of the inner shell in an unwinding direction and being held out of engagement by a rapid rotation of the roller in either direction; and a stationary partition transversely disposed within the inner shell to limit the free movement of the detached member within the shells.

8. The Y combination with a shade roller provided with means for normally rotating said roller in a winding direction, of an inner shell secured to one end of the roller and having av plurality of apertures therein; an outer shell fitted over the inner shell and rotatably engaging the same, said outer shell having pockets formed in diametrically oplposite positions upon the upper and lower sides of the outer shell and being held against rotation with either of said pockets downwardly disposed;a partition centrally disposed within the inner shell and held against rotation; and a detached member loosely mounted within the shell upon each side of the partition and freely movable within the shell, the lowermost member being normally moved by gravity to engage the downwardly disposed pocket of the outer shell through an aperture of the inner shell to normally hold the rolled and inner shell against rotation relative to the outer shell, said member Vbeing displaced by rotation of the inner shell in an unwnding direction and held out of engagement by a rapid rotation of the shell and roller in either direction and being limited in its free movement by the partition.

4. The combination with a shade roller provided with means for normally rotating said roller in a winding direction, of an inner shell secured to one end of the roller and having a plurality of apertures therein; an

outer shell fitted over the inner shell and rotatably engaging the same, said outer shell having pockets formed in diametrically opposite positions upon the upper and lower sides thereof and being secured against rotation with either of said pockets downwardly disposed; a partition horizontally disposed centrally within the inner shell and having apertures formed therein; and a detached member loosely mounted within the shell upon each side of the partition and freely movable within the shell, the lowermost member being normally moved by gravity to engage the downwardly disposed pocket of the outer shell through an aperture of the inner shell to normally hold the roller and inner shell against rotation relative to the outer shell, said member being displaced by a rotation of the inner shell in an unwinding direction and being held out of engagement by a rapid rotation of the shell and' roller in either direction and being limited in its free movement within said inner shell by the partition, the opposite detached member being normally seated in an inoperative position within one of the apertures of the partition.

5. The combination with a shade roller provided with means for normally rotating said roller in a winding direction, of a supporting stem secured to said rewinding means at one end of the roller and adapted to detachably engage a supporting bracket and to be held thereby against rotation; a Washer secured upon the end of the roller and having a central bearing aperture rotatably engaging the stem; an inner shell secured upon the end of the roller and eX- tending outwardly and forming a compartment bet-Ween the outer end of the shell and the washer, said shell having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures and said outer lend having a central bearing aperture rotatably engaging the stem; an outer shell secured upon the stem and extending over the outer end of the inner shell in rotatable engagement therewith, said outer shell having` pockets formed in alinement With the apertures of the inner shell; a detached member loosely mounted Within the inner shell and freely movable therein to engage a downwardly disposed pocket of the outer shell through an aperture of the inner shell to normally hold said inner shell and the roller against rotation in a Winding direction rela tive to the stem and the outer shell, said member being displaced by a rotation of the roller and inner shell in an univinding direction and being held out of engagement by a rapid rotation of the inner shell and roller in either direction; and a partition secured upon the stem and extending horizontally across the inner shell to limit the free movement of said member and forming corners Within which said member is held by the rotation of said inner shell.

In witness whereof, I hereunto set my signature.

CHARLES MENDLER. 

